Come Together For HIV & AIDS: TV Advert Celebrates The Joys of Safe Sex

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Frostie

INTERNATIONAL HIV/AIDS ALLIANCE LAUNCH RISQUE AND REFRESHING FIRST TV AD

Hot new TV advert celebrates the joys of safe sex

• New ‘Come Together’ advert for the International HIV/AIDS Alliance features a mix of sexualities, races, genders and ages in the throes of passion.

However there is a very serious underlying message.

• Ad marks climax of global Valentine’s Day fundraising campaign by the charity to highlight the importance of safe, protected sex and of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

• New advert is a risqué and refreshing approach to charity fundraising advertising in a bid to highlight the continued importance of addressing the HIV epidemic.

SEX – but not the usual… This Friday evening sees a new approach to safe sex and charity fundraising with the broadcast of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance‘s first ever TV advert. The risqué and refreshing ad, which is airing for one night only, has been created in a bid to highlight the continued importance of addressing the HIV epidemic, an issue which the charity believes has fallen off the public agenda in recent years.

The visually arresting 60-second advert depicts a mix of sexualities, races, genders
and ages in the throes of passion.

The advert will be airing on Friday night for one night only with Channel Four leading the way at 11.05pm. It is part of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance’s ‘Come

Together’ campaign and has a very serious underlying message. It is designed to both highlight the importance of safe sex and unite people in an effort to end AIDS.

Every year, around 2.3 million people are diagnosed with HIV and 1.6 million die of AIDS-related causes. The advert asks viewers to donate money in order to save lives and prevent the spread of HIV around the world.

The first 5,000 people to donate £20 will also receive a ‘Come Together’ box in time for Valentine’s Day which is very much in keeping with the ad’s spirit. The box is designed to celebrate the joys of safe sex and contains a condom as well as a variety of sensual products including a luxury feather tickler, a blindfold and lubricant

Here are some quotes from the actors who took part:

Tim, 55, actor

“When Helen and I first arrived at the shoot we had no idea what we were going to do – but then Helen picked up the whip, I donned the fishnets, faked an orgasm and it all came (excuse the pun) naturally! I was fairly innocent in the 80s, but the message then was very different – casual sex without protection was widely accepted, until people were made aware of the dangers of contracting HIV. Now it’s much clearer that people can do whatever they like, provided they are taking sensible precautions with protecting themselves – which is what I took home from the shoot”.

Helen, Television/Theatre Actress

“I was in the entertainment industry when the AIDS taboo was prevalent, and scaremongering was rife. I sadly lost some of my dear friends to the disease/virus. This is why I was so drawn to taking this part in the ad – to increase awareness that HIV / AIDS shouldn’t have the stigma of a ‘gay’ disease – it affects the international community, no matter what colour, creed, sex or whatever. People should be educated about AIDS, not made to fear it.”

The first ever advert from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance has already set tongues wagging amongst industry experts.

Jo Hodges, Head of the Advertising Faculty at London College of Communication

“Historically the advertising campaigns surrounding AIDS only appeared to target the gay community. However, the Come Together ad shows couples of every sexual orientation enjoying sex from every angle and in turn produces what I think is one of the most provocative ads I have ever seen.

This is a welcome and urgently needed departure that doesn’t feel reproachful. Instead it is an open celebration of the joys of safer sex that targets people of all different ages, sexual orientations/preferences and genders.”

Awo Ablo, Director of External Relations at the International HIV/AIDS Alliance said:

“We’ve created a campaign that celebrates safe sex, in all its forms, in a way that’s open, honest and off-beat – and that positions it as a natural and wonderful part of everyday life. We wanted to create an experience that would resonate with people of all different identities. Safe sex should be available to everyone, it can save lives.

“We appreciate that this ad is risqué , but we hope it doesn’t shock or make people feel uncomfortable. The underlying message is vital.We have to communicate that AIDS is a very real problem for people who do not get the care and support that they need, it can mean illness, isolation and death. We need to raise awareness and funds in order to provide the services that people around the world need.”

What do you think?

Spring Clean Your Beauty Bag

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Frostie

There’s nothing like a good spring clean, but it’s not just your house that may need a good clear out; how long have you had that blue eye shadow in your make-up bag? What about that body lotion lurking in your bathroom? A lot of people keep skincare and makeup way past their use by date but old products are a breeding ground for bacteria which you are then transferring to your skin.

Follow Skincare Expert & Facial Therapist Amanda Elias’ DO’s and DON’Ts to ensure a clean beauty cabinet this Spring.

DO use a marker pen to note the date you’ve open the product. Most skincare products only have the months in which they should be discarded after use rather than an actual date. By noting the date you’ll know when to discard it if left unused.
DON’T keep make-up or skincare “for best” because there’s a good chance they’ll pass their expiry date before you use them. If you’ve splurged, reap the benefits by using your products regularly and while they’re at their optimum.

DO wash your hands or use the end of a spoon as a spatula before scooping product out of a jar to prevent the spread of bacteria.
DON’T use product which has separated, changed colour, changed in smell or has started to irritate your skin; take this as an indication to replace it.
DO follow the life expectancy of cosmetics;
Mascara – 3 months
Liquid foundation and concealer – 12-18 months.
Lipstick and Gloss – 2 years for lipstick and 1 year for gloss. A good sign that a lip product has gone off is that it can leave the lips irritated or tingly.
Nail Varnish – 2 years. If the product separates and doesn’t combine when you shake it, it’s time to replace it.
Eye and lip pencils – as these are sharpened you are constantly removing any bacteria so they should last for at least 2 years.
Powders such as Eyeshadow, Blusher and face powder generally last 2 years, if you notice the product is dryer than it used to be, replace.
DON’T ignore your make-up brushes; these should be cleaned once a week. I like to clean my foundation brush daily as bacteria can grow quickly. My tip is to clean my foundation brush and an extra brush every time I put my make-up on, which guarantees all the brushes I use are always clean and free from bacteria.

If you’ve bought make-up and skincare within the last 6 months that you don’t like or use, why not have a swapping party with your friends? There’s a good chance they’ve also got recently purchased, unused products in their make-up bag or beauty cabinet.

For any skincare or make-up products or accessories that are in great condition but aren’t being used, why not donate them to this worthy cause? http://www.giveandmakeup.com.

Highly experienced within the industry, Amanda Elias is the brains behind effective yet affordable skincare brand, Bravura London – a business founded following Amanda’s own skin problems and subsequent discovery of using AHA, BHA and Hydraulic Acid for troubled skins.

Were Superdrug’s Controversial Celebrity Weight Scales Offensive?

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Frostie

Superdrug has dropped it’s controversial ‘celebrity weight scales’ after the product was criticised by a leading UK eating disorder charity. But what did you think of it? Is it healthier to compare yourself to a celebrity or a number? These were novelty scales and surely they were just a bit of fun?

The scales compared a user’s weight to that of a celebrity such as Cheryl Cole, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Beyoncé.

The scales included Cheryl Cole (8st), Kate Middleton (8st 6lb), Jessica Ennis (9st), Ellie Goulding (9st lb), Beyonce (9st 2lb), Rihanna (9st 2lb), Adele (14st), Queen Latifah (16st) and Melissa McCarthy (18st). I am not sure whether or not these weights are accurate but some of them do seem quite low. Especially as the average weight of a women in the UK is 11 stone.

The truth is, weight will always be a sensitive issue and young girls are impressionable. What is to stop them dieting to achieve the weight of their idol? Different people have different natural weights. We should just focus on being healthy, but peer pressure will always be there. For some the scales are just fun and novelty, but like most things in life, they can have a negative impact if used incorrectly.

Lorna Driver-Davies, nutritionist at the NutriCentre commented:

“I am very concerned with the concept of celebrity weighing scales. As a nutritionist I have no objection to women weighing themselves in kg- this is commonplace on normal scales and many women chose the metric method of weight, for example in France and Germany.”

“Comparing your weight to anyone- your friends, sister or colleagues would be a very unhealthy way to judge your own weight, so a comparison to celebrities is even worse.”

“These scales do not even take into account body fat percentage, height, BMI, waist and hip measurements and common sense on what is a healthy weight for an individual. Not only is this concept deeply unscientific but also I believe it would encourage even more insecurity and anxiety about weight which is a sad situation.”

“These scales also set a very poor example to teenage girls who are often more susceptible to eating disorders and are easily impressed by celebrity status.”

What do you think? Should they have been pulled?

Cara And Girlfriend ‘Dial-A-Dracula Drip’ In Quest For Vitamin Boost

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Frostie

Also known as The Party Girl Drip, this intravenous vitamin infusion claims to boost energy levels, the immune system and cure hangovers. Adopted by hard partying A-listers from Rhianna, Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Simon Cowell, this 40 minute invasive procedure can be ‘delivered’ to private addresses for around £400.

What’s actually is the ‘Dial-A-Dracula Drip’ ?

The IV drip, is a vitamin cocktail containing vitamins B and C, and minerals, magnesium and calcium which claims to boost energy levels and increase immunity.

Not a fan of needles?

Sharon Morey from Quest Vitamins gives us her expert advice ‘We mere mortals can easily gain similar benefit from adding a multi-nutrient or B complex supplement to your regular supplement regime, the B vitamins, including B12, vitamin C and magnesium help to reduce tiredness and fatigue, deficiency of B12 and folic acid in particular can result in tiredness and a lack of energy’

Sharon advises ‘Aim for a good all round Multi B complex with vitamin C to help give you that A-list boost of energy the painless way.’ Try Quest Vitamins new Multi B Complex, £5.60 from questexcellence.com

Want are the down sides of an IV vitamin drip?

Side effects can include fever, dizziness, inflammation of the vein, infection, and in some cases anaphylactic shock. Critics say a lot of the feel-good factor stars claim to experience afterwards is more likely to be from a Placebo affect than the result of the IV itself.

How to Quit Sugar in 12 Steps

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Frostie

Sugar makes our food tastier, gives us a quick boost of energy, and leaves us feeling great, at least temporarily. But it’s also a highly addictive substance and, when consumed frequently, can have negative effects on our health and well-being, with symptoms ranging from energy dips, a ‘sluggish’ feeling and poor skin, to more severe health problems including obesity, diabetes, premature aging, and many other chronic health conditions. Fat was traditionally blamed for many of these problems, but sugar is now shown to be far more harmful than fat! For this reason, and simply to feel or look healthier, many of us are taking the positive decision to cut out or drastically reduce the amount of sugar in our diets.

We enlist the help of Nutritional Therapist, Cassandra Barns, at nutricentre.com to give us The Ultimate 12 Step Sugar-Free programme.

Portion Control

Cassandra advises, ‘Aim for foods that have a low glycaemic load, as their impact on blood sugar level is minimal and you’ll be less likely to experience blood glucose highs and lows that will have you reaching for the cookie jar. Make sure each meal includes protein, non-starchy vegetables and unrefined carbohydrates. Limit sweet tasting veg (parsnips, potato and carrots) and opt for green veg like broccoli and spinach, ideally making up half your plate. Good protein (lean turkey, eggs, fish, beans) are digested slowly and make you feel fuller for longer, carbs should be wholegrain varieties for the same reason.’’

I must not skip breakfast

According to Cassandra, ‘’If we don’t have breakfast, often by 11 am or midday, we become hungry and crave sugar, as our blood sugar levels drop too low. Try two poached eggs on a slice of wholemeal bread with some rocket leaves or a pot of sugar-free yoghurt with nuts and berries.’’

Quit sugar, not snacks

‘’A healthy snack between meals can help while you’re giving up sugar, as it stops your sugar levels dropping too low, which can cause sweet cravings. Good examples include: two oatcakes topped with a tablespoon of humus or guacamole or cottage cheese and half an avocado. Avoid bananas and grapes and opt for berries as they are naturally low in sugar.’’ Cassandra warns.

Limit alcohol

‘’Alcohol raises blood sugar, but being a liquid, it is even more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream than sugar. Alcohol also contains more calories than sugar: 7 calories per gram versus 4 calories per gram! Alcohol binges are a classic way to set up a cycle of cravings for sugary, stodgy foods the day after. Stick to one small to medium glass of wine with a meal once or twice a week’’, advises Cassandra.

Look after your gut

Cassandra explains ‘’Overgrowth of unhelpful yeasts in the gut, such as candida, can contribute to, or exacerbate sugar cravings. Ironically, eating sugar and high-starch foods makes the candida overgrowth worse, so we become stuck in a catch-22 situation. To help solve this, try taking a high-strength, good quality probiotic supplement such as ProVen’s ‘Adult Probiotic 25 Billion’ £12.95 from www.provenprobiotics.co.uk , loaded with friendly bacteria.’’

Go easy on the tea and coffee

Caffeine is a stimulant that causes our body’s stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to be released, which in turn cause a cycle of energy dips and peaks, and make you more likely to crave sugar later on. Decaffeinated coffee and tea contains other stimulants, so try better options such as naturally caffeine free rooibos tea or grain based coffee alternatives.

Consider natural sugar alternatives

Xylitol is a naturally sweet substance found in many plants. In commercial preparations, it is found in granules and looks and tastes like sugar, although slightly less sweet. Stevia is a substance extracted from the leaf of the stevia plant. It is an intensely sweet substance and very little is needed to give a sweet taste – it has very few calories and minimal impact on blood glucose.

Treat yourself

Three squares of good quality dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa): this amount will only contain a relatively small amount of sugar, and there is also evidence that dark chocolate has health benefits or try a small pot of sugar-free plain yoghurt, with a teaspoon of pure cocoa or raw cacao powder

Chromium to control cravings

‘Chromium, this trace mineral has a vital role in supporting normal blood glucose levels, and therefore helping to prevent the dips that cause us to crave sugary foods. Try Quest Vitamin’s ‘Chromium Picolinate’ £4.04 from www.questexcellence.com. Take one tablet a day, preferably with breakfast. This supplement also contains vitamin B3, which works closely together with chromium. Chromium can take a month or longer to have its full effect, so persevere or start taking chromium before attempting to give up sugar.’ Cassandra advises

Exercise!

Cassandra stresses ‘’Moderate exercise helps us to feel energised, less sluggish, and healthier. It can help to control stress levels and also support blood sugar control to avoid dips that will induce cravings.’’

Reduce your stress

‘Stress is one of the primary triggers for sugar cravings, as our body is being prepared for physical action (the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome). So try in any way you can to reduce stress, whether it is by delegating or reducing your workload, taking some gentle exercise, or practising yoga or meditation to help you relax. Reduced stress will often mean better sleep as well, which will mean better energy levels the next day.’ explains Cassandra.

Energising vitamins and minerals

According to Cassandra ‘Most of us can benefit from extra support, to prevent tiredness triggering those pesky sugar cravings. B vitamins, vitamin C and the mineral magnesium are particularly important nutrients that are needed to produce energy from the foods that we eat; and we can struggle to get enough of them, even in a healthy diet.’

All supplements mentioned can be found at nutricentre.com. Want to give up sugar for 2014? Got a question that isn’t covered here? NutriCentre offers a free Nutritional Advice helpline manned by a team of highly qualified nutritionists, like Cassandra, ready to answer any natural health questions you may have. Advice line: 0207 436 5122, open Mon-Sat

B.K.S Iyengar Yoga The Path To Holistic Health Book Review

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Frostie

It is a book review special on Frost today and next up; time to get your yoga on.

B.K.S Iyengar is one of the greatest yoga teachers in the world and Iyengar Yoga is one of the most practiced yoga systems globally. Very impressive indeed.

This book gives you a lot of bang for your buck. The book is suitable for every age and ability and contains specially developed yoga sequences to alleviate over 80 ailments, ranging from IBS, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. I really liked that section. It takes each ailment and then there is step-by-step pictures of each sequence, along with a reference at the bottom to know which page to go to for a more in-depth guide to the move. There is also a 20-week course for beginners that is very handy. Each section is well-illustrated with lots of pictures.

There is also a celebration of B.K.S Iyengar life in his own words. Perfect whether a fan or a beginner wanting to know more. I find a lot of the quotes inspirational, as is B.K.S Iyengar’s life. This is a great in-depth book, full of inspiration and knowledge. Great for yoga lovers and beginners alike.

B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health

Strength Training Exercises For Women Book Review

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Frostie

January is full of the best of intentions, it is the time of the year when we are determined to get healthy and fit, but usually gym membership and exercise classes fall by the wayside. I know a lot of the time the effort to leave the house is what really gets me so it is exercise DVDs and books all the way.

My first thoughts of Strength Training Exercises For Women: Tone, Sculpt, and Stay Strong For Life by Joan Pagano is that it is knowledgeable and easy-to-use. It starts by testing your fitness and checking your BMI with a handy table. The introduction and chapter on why lift weights? highlights the importance of weight lifting for women. It then goes into your training programme, which includes information on equipment, muscles and exercise, posture and alignment. I learn a lot.

There are a variety of programmes in the book. One of my favourites is the 15-minute Workouts- perfect for the time starved. When I have more time, the focused exercises are brilliant. You can choose the lower body, upper body or core body programme.

The book is easy-to-use; each exercise has lots of pictures and tips. I was very impressed with this book. I think it is great for any women who wants to reach her physical peak, or has wanted to do weights but needed a dedicated programme. Highly recommended.

Achieve Oscar-Winning Skin

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Frostie

While red carpet glitz and glamour is achieved by fabulous stylists and make-up artists, fresh, glowing skin is definitely the best accessory- and you don’t need a celebrity budget to look good.

Follow Facial Therapist and Skincare Expert Amanda Elias’ inexpensive solutions to Oscar-Winning Skin:

EXFOLIATING

WHY? Exfoliating removes the dead skin layer which sits on the surface of our healthy, new skin. When there is an accumulation of dead skin, it leaves the complexion looking lifeless and grey because light isn’t reflected evenly. By removing this dead skin the light will reflect evenly and directly off your healthy skin.

HOW? You can achieve beautiful skin with scrubs but my personal recommendation would always be chemical exfoliation. Using a product daily that contains AHA’s (like Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid) or a BHA (like Salicylic Acid) will gently exfoliate by loosening the bond that holds the dead skin to the surface, rather than scrubbing it which can cause irritation and inflammation in sensitive or problem skin. Don’t let the word acid scare you; daily use products typically contain a concentration of 10% AHA and lower so although powerful, they won’t burn the skin.

SUFFERING WITH ACNE OR BLACKHEADS? Exfoliation is the key treatment. These conditions occur when dead skin and oil gets trapped within the pores and bacteria breeds. By removing the dead skin you’re helping to prevent these blockages which in turn will reduce the breakouts. Using chemical exfoliants rather than a manual scrub will also help to fade any discolouration left over from spots.

FIGHTING THE SIGNS OF AGEING? Glycolic and lactic acid helps by increasing cell turnover, this in turn stimulates the production of collagen which is the support matrix of the skin. Collagen starts to break down as we get older which is why we want to stimulate the body to produce more; lots of collagen means plumper skin and less wrinkles.

UNEVEN SKIN ON THE BODY? If you have rough skin with red dots on your arms, thighs or bottom this could be a condition called Keratosis Pilaris. This is caused by too much keratin, found in the top layer of the skin, blocks the pores. There is no cure but exfoliating, especially with AHA’s and BHA’s, can make a dramatic difference to the appearance and texture of the skin.

So you’re well exfoliated, now there’s cleansing and moisturising.

CLEANSING is essential to keep the skin healthy and you looking your best. The majority don’t cleanse enough; twice in the evening (note evening not night) and once in the morning. If you find cleansing often strips your skin, change your cleanser. Use a cleanser designed for your skin type and steer clear of soap. With its high PH, soap can cause dryness as well as help bacteria to breed in problem skin.

MOISTURISING is vital, particularly with product that contains an SPF. In the winter UVA is still present in the atmosphere; while UVA doesn’t burn us (it’s the UVB rays from the sun that cause burning) it can still cause premature ageing and is the number one cause of ageing to our skin. No matter what anti-ageing products you use, if you don’t use an SPF daily- even when it’s grey and miserable- you’re not fighting ageing.

When choosing a moisturiser make sure you choose one for your skin type to keep your skin moisturised and therefore youthful.

If you have oily skin but you use an anti-wrinkle cream designed for mature skin, it’s likely to cause breakouts and can leave the skin looking puffy. If you don’t like moisturising because it leave a sheen on the skin, look for a moisturiser that has a matte finish.

GLOW Leonardo Dicaprio dazzled on the red carpet showing off an enviable tan recently. To get a healthy, natural looking glow I would recommend a spray tan for both men and women. If you’d rather give it a go yourself, try a tan like Cocoa Brown which gives a gentle tan in only an hour. If you have facial hair, be careful to gently rub as close to the hair as possible or you’ll have a tan line around the hair.

Highly experienced within the industry, Amanda Elias is the brains behind effective yet affordable skincare brand, Bravura London a business founded following Amanda’s own skin problems and subsequent discovery of using AHA, BHA and Hydraulic Acid for troubled skins.

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